The former rugby star Mike Tindall, who is known in royal circles as the husband of the queen’s granddaughter Zara Philips, has spoken about an awkward moment while meeting King Charles III for the first time as the King.

What mistake did Mike commit?

The royal family website lists several protocols to be followed while meeting the royal family members. For example, when meeting the King, men must give a neck bow standing straight without bending the waist. Women, on the other hand, should convey a small curtsy. Mike had almost curtseyed while meeting King Charles but managed to hold in a last-minute awkward gesture and gave the neck bow.

Mike shared the interesting anecdote during an episode of his podcast channel, The Good, The Bad and the Rugby. The goof up, Mike said, happened when he followed Zara and he saw her curtsey to the King.

"I was lucky enough to check myself at the last moment," Mike said in the podcast. For Mike, he was lucky the entire episode was a private affair with no cameras around to make the incident socially viral!

Rulers And The Rule-Breakers: How Michelle Obama And Other Celebs Broke The Royal Protocol

Autoplay

1 of 3

Lizard of Oz

Paul Keating

In 1992, the Queen was on a tour to Australia when the then Prime Minister, Paul Keating, was photographed putting his arm around her while introducing her to dignitaries. The PM was famously named the 'Lizard of Oz' by the press for this gaffe. Years later, the Queen's private secretary Lord Robert Fellowes said the Queen took no offence.

(Image: www.keating.org.au)

Making Private Conversation Public

David Cameron

In 2014, the then Prime Minister of UK made a public apology, and promised to make a personal apology to the Queen, after he made details of a private conversation public. Cameron was heard saying that the Queen had "purred" when he called to tell her that Scotland voted against the independence referendum. Cameron said, "I'm very embarrassed by this. I'm extremely sorry about it. It was a private conversation, but clearly a private conversation that I shouldn't have had and won't have again."

Young Women, Happy Antics

Geri Halliwell

In 1997, when the Spice Girls met the royals, Halliwell created a furore, first with her plunging neckline and later by pinching Prince Charles on his derrière. Many years later, Halliwell said in interviews that it was more of a pat. She said, "Patting him on the bottom was against royal protocol, but we're all human. It was the premiere of our film, Spice World, in the late 90s. There was a lot of nervous energy — young women, happy antics.".

(Image: Twitter/@GeriHalliwell)

FAQs

Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by an external agency. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.

Mike Tindall opens up about protocol blunder while meeting King Charles III for first time after assuming throne

The former England rugby star and husband of Zara Philips, Mike Tindall, confessed his awkward protocol break while meeting King Charles III for the first time after Charles became the King of England.